The papal messages will likely shape the country’s spiritual and cultural landscape for years to come. Pope Francis’ Sept. 9-11 visit to Timor-Leste was a landmark event for the nation and a moment of immense significance for the Catholic community there.

The visit served as a powerful reminder of the influence of the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste and underscored the strong cultural ties between the faith and the identity of the Timorese people.

The seamless coordination between the Dioceses of Timor-Leste, the national government, and the Vatican in mobilising the masses to welcome the pope in Dili earned widespread admiration, both locally and internationally.

Around 500,000 to 700,000 people are estimated to have participated in the Papal Mass in Dili, making it the largest single gathering during Francis’ four-nation visit to Asia and Oceania from Sept 2-13.

The sheer size of the crowd was remarkable, considering that more than half of the nation’s 1.3 million had gathered there. It highlighted not only the people’s deep-rooted Catholic faith but also the cultural and social significance of the pope’s visit to the nation.

During his three-day visit, Francis delivered several powerful messages that resonated deeply with the Timorese people and touched on critical social and cultural themes. These messages were directed not only at lay Catholics but also at the clergy and the general public, addressing both spiritual and socio-cultural concerns.

Meeting with the clergy at the Cathedral in Dili, Francis addressed the importance of humility. He cautioned priests and Church officials against feeling “superior” when people refer to them as Amu (a term of reverence in Tetun meaning “Lord” or “Master”).

The pope emphasised that this respect should not be........

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